Double Glazing Window Repair
Over time, double glazing may develop issues. For instance it can become difficult to open the windows or have a door that snags. Fortunately the problems can be solved without difficulty.
Many homeowners will try to fix these problems themselves. However it should be left to experts. It's risky to fix these problems without the right tools and knowledge.
Broken Panes
A damaged or broken window can be a stressful and inconvenient issue. It could let cold or hot air into your home and leave a gap which allows moisture or debris to enter. This can also reduce the efficiency of your AC or furnace will need to work harder in order to keep your home comfortable. Depending on the weather and whether you have single or double-pane windows, you might be able to repair the damage with silicone sealant. A permanent fix requires professional assistance.
Heavy-duty tape can be used to repair a damaged window. A tape strip placed over a crack can stop it from escalating. However cracks that go all through the glass or one that is too large to be covered by tape will have to be replaced entirely.
Broken glass can result from various factors: a pebble from the lawnmower that strikes the window an unintentionally placed drink heavily on a glass-topped table or a pet's euphoric leap when you open the door. It can also occur naturally as the frames of your windows move slowly over time and break the special packaging material that holds the glass sheets in place.
Wear gloves that are thick when you have a broken pane of glass. Place a cardboard box near the pane to collect any fragments. Remove the frame's sash and work on a flat surface, such as tables. Wear a mask to prevent breathing in the glass shards.
After you have removed the old glass, clean any paint and varnish from the window frame. You could also use a heat gun to soften any old glazing putty as well as metal glazing points that kept the glass in the first place.
Then you can determine the opening of a new glass. To allow for expansion and contracting you should always purchase an alternative glass that is slightly smaller than the opening. Make sure that your local hardware or home center cut the glass to these dimensions.
Once you have the glass, you can press it into the frame. Fill any gaps with silicone caulk. It is available at a local home improvement store. Then, smooth the caulk with a putty knife. Add glazier's points to the edges of the glass frame about every six inches, to ensure that they keep the pane in the frame.
Condensation
Whether your double glazing windows are old or new, it's fairly common for them to experience condensation. This is particularly true in winter when colder air is able to meet warmer glass. It could be a problem but it's not typically an problem. This is because condensation on windows actually means that your double glazing is functioning properly.
It can be an indication that your seal is leaking and moisture is entering the gap. If you notice a milky look on your window or if water beads appear across its surface, this issue needs to be addressed in order to stop mold, mildew, or any further damage.
Luckily condensation can be eliminated quite easily. A technician will drill a small number of holes into the window frame, allowing the moisture that has been trapped to be released. This process is known as defogging. It can also be used to remove staining caused by moisture that has been trapped.
It's important to keep in mind, however, that defogging won't solve the underlying problem of a leaky seal. In fact, it may not even in the event that the condensation is gone, since the damaged air that was in between the panes is still there. This could mean you are not getting as much heat insulation as you should from your windows.
It's important to consult an expert as soon as you detect moisture in your windows to determine the next steps. They might suggest a solution such as adding vents to windows to let fresh air in but do not allow warm air to escape.
It's the last thing you want for your double-glazing system to break down. This is especially true when it can be costly to replace. With the right skills, knowledge and equipment, it's possible to fix your double glazing and keep it in good condition for many years to come. If you need repair work on your double glazing contact us today to find out what we can do to help. We provide a variety of services from replacing one or several panes of glass that has been tempered to installing energy efficient upgrades.
Leaks
A leak can be a major issue as it indicates that you could have damp ingress, which could lead to damage. This can be expensive to fix and is often a sign of further problems within your property, like dry rot or mold. This is why it's essential to take care of leaks as soon as you can.
If you experience an air draught emanating from your double-glazed windows, it's likely that the seal inside the sealed unit has failed. It could also mean there is no longer any gas argon between the glass panes that is used to create insulation. This issue can be solved by a specialist technician who will repair the window.
Sometimes, dirt may cause a double-glazed window to become cloudy or hazy. This usually means that the seal is deteriorating and the glass needs to be cleaned. This can be accomplished by a specialist using high pressure water jets which will quickly remove any dirt or debris.
If window repair is developing between the two glass panes of your double glazing then this is a sign that the seal has opened an open and there is no argon between the two panes of glass. This is a serious issue and means that your double glazing is not insulating your home in the way it should. The glass can be replaced, but you will have to do it sooner rather than later, as the performance of your double glazed window has been impacted.
If you have brand new double-glazed windows that are under warranty, you should contact the company that installed them and report any issues with the units or the sealing of the glass, as it is not likely to be covered under the warranty. If you attempt to play with the units or try to fix them yourself, it will void the warranty, and you should leave the repairs to professionals. We recommend that you hire an expert in double glazing repair.
Weather Damage
In areas with extreme weather, double-glazed windows require a strong frame which can hold the glass panes in place. Ice, snow, high winds and tumultuous storms can all result in damage to your windows. Contact a professional for repairs to double glazing if you notice cracks, dents, or holes.
If you notice that water is running out of the bottom of your window, it could be a sign there is a breach in the seal inside the window. This lets moisture enter your home. In addition the uPVC or aluminum window frame may be warping or bending. You will need to replace the window seal and put it back into the frame in order to correct this.
Window seals help to ensure that double-glazed windows are airtight and keep heat from escaping your home, and also stopping condensation between the glass panes. The window seals, which help keep the glass in place are made of uPVC or aluminum. You can experience problems like the loss of energy and draughts if the window seals fail.
Misting windows are a common issue that is due to the gas used to insulate the double-glazed window breaking. The argon gasses keep the glass in place and create an airtight sealing, but if it is damaged or worn out, the gases could escape. The argon gas could cause condensation between glass panes when it escapes.
The issue can be resolved by replacing the window seal and re-inserting glass. You can apply an anti-fogging treatment to avoid any further condensation. It is recommended to employ an expert to complete the work for you.
While it is important to have double-glazed windows, they are not impervious to damage and will require to be repaired from time to time. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be restored without the need for replacement. To do this, it is recommended to have a few basic tools on hand. You'll need gloves to protect yourself as well as a tape measure scotch tape, or a transparent film and nail polish, and a sheet of plastic that can be cut to size.